DancerOT

On our last visit to Nassau, we did a Walking Rum and Food Tour that I would highly recommend.  It basically told us the history of Nassau through rum.  I really enjoyed the history, the food, and learning to taste the difference between the rums.  It isn't a "get drunk" kind of tour but rather here is a bit of rum to fully understand the history of the island.

It would be really nice if they could create a solo cabin that wasn't an inside.  I would definitely look at a solo cabin, but an inside?  For a surcharge?  No thank you

My understanding from being on a cruise in April with ABT is that ABT only sends two dancers who volunteer.  It is impossible to do a fully ballet with two dancers.  While I would have loved more time with both who performed on our cruise, I also understand how demanding the two pieces they did, were.  It was truly a dream to be able to participate in the class onboard and probably the only thing that could tear me away from the pool on a sea day.  I truly hope they continue the partnership and expand it, if feasible.  

On 4/1/2019 at 9:45 AM, elaineb said:

Just off the 3/24 Summit.  The ballet - and I am not a fan - was amazing! 2 dancers and they did 2 numbers.  The first was White Swan from Swan Lake.  That was followed by an AMAZING violinist - can't remember her name but I will look it up and she deserves recognition.  She was a Lindsey Sterling type.  After her came the 2nd ballet - a modern one.  So, so good.  I am glad I saw this.  However, they only have plans for 8 or 9 more performances this year fleet-wide.  So we were lucky to be at one of them.  The captain had to slow the ship down during the performance.

Do you know anything about the classes they will be offering?  We are on one of the sailings with the partnership (this Saturday!!) and am beyond stoked to be able to take a company barre class.

I love Swan Lake - loved performing it and love watching it.  The music is so beautiful and dramatic.  But, a good modern ballet is just as amazing.  TIA!!

On 3/27/2019 at 11:30 AM, rosskeys88 said:

4: haven’t seen mainstage shows, but ABT debuts tonight and looking forward to that. 

How was ABT?  What did they do with the partnership?  I am beyond excited for that as it is on my upcoming cruise.

Thank you for answering my HIIT class question!

On 3/24/2019 at 12:13 AM, rosskeys88 said:

Will do!  They have a HIIT class listed on the app (went live today) and fellow cruiser Aprilfool77 are both Orange theory fans, so we will certainly check out the rowers!

Can you let us know if it costs extra?  I often travel with my kangoo boots to work out with but would be willing swap them out of some HIIT classes.  Can't wait to set sail on April 13th!  TIA!

My inner ballet nerd is soooo excited about this. I looked and my upcoming cruise is on the list where ABT will be onboard.  The idea that I can take an ABT ballet class is mind blowing for me.  Now, I'm really dreaming of having the opportunity to see Misty Copeland.  A girl can dream!

4 hours ago, kwokpot said:

But as I said the particular LIFESTYLE (Which can be any age demographic) that Celebrity wants to court eschews that sort of thing. Probably the only participatory musical entertainment that fits into the new activities paradigm would be Karaoke .  

Maybe the better question is what demographic is Celebrity trying to attract?

As a single, 38 year old woman, I really enjoy Celebrity.  My only wish is that they would take the comedy shows and piano bar from Carnival and add it to Celebrity.  That would make me super happy!

On 1/24/2019 at 2:48 PM, alfaeric said:

A bar on Calle Fortaleza.  In the back of it, there's a luggage storage area.

 

Before the shutdown, the ag check was quite short- there are a number of them next to doors, on your way to check in.  Even the TSA-pre process took longer than the current ag check.

 

If the shutdown is still going on- well, who knows.

Thank you!  We might look into this as an option.

8 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

I thought there was a Priority Pass lounge at SJU at Terminal C.  That's what the app says.

Thanks!  I didn't see it when I looked but I love being corrected in this way!!  Woohoo!

4 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Do a post cruise stay in SJ and take a early flight out the next morning. There is always plenty to do and see in OSJ. 

Not an option as we are trying to do Passover Seder with my grandmother that evening in FLL before flying home to Baltimore a day or two later.

What is Barrachina?  We are in a similar positon with a 3:20 flight out of SJU on Southwest to FLL in April.  What/how long is the agricultural check?

That is what we figured but since others have more experience, I figured I would ask.  I really need this shutdown over (for soooo many reasons!).  A priority pass lounge at the airport would also really help things out.

We have brought olives in a can on without an issue.  It is an Israeli brand we order and bring as they are delicious and also have a great brine.  A Chinese food container to store them in works perfectly.

One other question - how fast can you get off the ship?  We really want to take an 8:15am flight out to FLL but are concerned it is cutting it too close.  Unfortunately, the next flight isn't until 3:20pm.

10 minutes ago, snyniew said:

I usually get there 10:45 or so and am usually onboard by 11am

Thank you!!

Does anyone know what time you can board in San Juan?  I wanted to get my stuff on board and then go explore San Juan a bit.  TIA

You get 90 minutes of free wifi as an elite member.

On S Class ships on deck 5 the sales staff line up outside the shops to hawk their goods. Avoid this area when going to or leaving the Theater.

Quick tip - carry two martinis and wear heels. They never stop you!!! :'):')

I always request a specific brand and then I watch them make it. I have stopped more than one bartender when they grab the wrong bottle. They often apologize. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt that they accidentally grabbed the wrong bottle. But, then again, I have never had a bartender argue with me.

We have done it twice - once in St. Maartin and once in Cozumel. In St. Maartin, we did it before the hurricane (Spring 2017) and it was absolutely amazing. Probably, the best shore excursion we have ever done. I am sorry to hear about how the tour has been impacted by the damage as it was truly quite a magical day. I did also enjoy the one in Cozumel (Spring 2018), although it wasn't quite as good as the one in St. Maartin. This could also be due to my expectations being so high.

Honestly, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again in another port and think doing it in Naples would be fantastic!

I ordered online (as did my mom) and they never came for our March cruise. I ended up calling the Captain's Club to get them sent.

First, I have to commend the OP for asking the question. It isn't an easy question to ask. I also applaud you for being so supportive for your son. It truly brings a smile to my face.

I am with many others in that I don't know why we don't have gender neutral bathrooms all over (seriously, why are single stalls labeled??). There are many bars that have gender neutral bathrooms - every person uses the same multistall bathroom. Guess what? It works. If a guy sees me reapplying my lipstick. Okay, he sees me reapplying my lipstick - if he chooses to date me, he will likely see it anyway.

I wish I had a better answer to your question - I do recall a few single stall bathrooms at various places around the ship, but most are, unfortunately, gender assigned. Either way, I wish your whole family all the best as you navigate this. To this stranger, it sounds like you are doing a fantastic job.

We took my niece on a cruise last January when she was 16 months old (she even had a drink package :')). The best thing we did was buy a 30" blow-up pool that we took with us. We grabbed chairs by the pool that we could easily put the pool next to without disturbing others. To fill it, we borrowed a beer bucket from the bar - worked perfect. Early dining was key as she would just start to hit her "melting point" right as we were leaving dinner.

The staff were amazing with her! I can't speak to the staff enough. There was one day by the pool that one of the pool servers was walking around and came up to us asking, "Where's Hope?" He kept checking back until she emerged from her nap. She was really into fist bumps during that time and all the staff would fist bump her whenever they saw her. Utterly amazing! My brother and SIL tended to tag team her naps and staying out. One would stay with her during her nap so the other could enjoy pool time and the other stayed with her at night while the other went out with the rest of us. One night, my younger brother and his now wife babysat for them so they could go out to dinner. My parents did not babysit any nights - they took us on the cruise for my grandmother's birthday and it was not their responsibility to watch her. Honestly, we brought her everywhere with us - martini bar, lounges, pool....she is a great kid and very well behaved (seriously it kinda freaks me out).

Some things we did bring that really helped (besides the pool): books, puzzles, Mr. Potato Head, and stacking cups. To be fair, it is helpful that we keep this stuff at my grandmother's in Florida so we didn't have to fly with it - but she always had toys to play with and people to play with her (there were 19 of us - easy to tag team).

Good luck with whatever you decide!!